Every week, for our ‘Food High Five’ series, we talk about certain foods that have great health benefits. This week, we’re looking at garlic. You might think that garlic just keeps vampires away and leaves you with unpleasant breath but there's much more to this food than meets the eye... or should we say nose! 1. Strengthens the immune system Garlic is great for fighting all sorts of infections including coughs, colds and the flu. It helps to clear out your system, including your airways, which is handy all year round. 2. Good for your skin This is another one of those foods which is rich in antioxidants, making it good for your health and skin. If you don’t like eating it, applying raw garlic to blemishes can also help. 3. Reduces high blood pressure If you want to avoid high blood pressure, garlic is the way to go. It is also known for keeping cholesterol down and helping to prevent heart disease. 4. Kills bacteria This food is so good at killing harmful bacteria that many believe it can prevent food poisoning. While we wouldn’t suggest abandoning healthy food handling techniques, it’s still good to know. 5. Prevents cold sores If you are prone to cold sores, you might want to think about having more garlic in your diet. Not only does it prevent them but it is known for getting rid of them quicker.